New Delhi, March 15 -- Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has opened up about the decision to back World No. 1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma, who scored three ducks in a row during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which the Men in Blue successfully defended by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in Ahmedabad.

The Indian opener, who entered the tournament with high expectations, saw a low string of scores with three straight ducks in Group A matches against the USA, Pakistan, and the Netherlands. Abhishek scored a half-century against Zimbabwe during the Super 8 stage before the final.

Yet on the biggest stage of the Final, Abhishek rediscovered his form, smashing 52 off 21 balls and registering the fastest fifty of the 2026 edition in just 18 deli...